Repurposed Drug May Extend Survival in Aggressive Ovarian Cancer, Trial Shows
Ovarian cancer ranks as the sixth most common cancer among women in the UK, with approximately 7,600 new cases diagnosed annually. This disease accounts for about 4% of all new cancer cases in women and leads to around 3,900 deaths each year, highlighting a critical need for improved treatment options.
Breakthrough in Platinum-Resistant Cases
Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer occurs when the disease progresses within six months of starting platinum-based chemotherapy, a treatment that uses compounds containing platinum to destroy cancer cells by inhibiting their division. Patients with this aggressive form typically face a grim prognosis, with an average survival of only one year after diagnosis and limited therapeutic alternatives.
A recent study published in the Lancet analyzed data from 381 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Participants were divided into two groups: one received standard care, while the other was treated with relacorilant, a pill originally developed for Cushing's syndrome, a condition characterized by excessive cortisol levels.
Significant Reduction in Mortality Risk
After an average follow-up period of two years, the results demonstrated a 35% reduction in the risk of death among patients administered relacorilant compared to those on usual care. On average, individuals in the relacorilant group lived four months longer than their counterparts in the control group. Researchers concluded that these findings support relacorilant as a potential new standard treatment for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
Additional Findings from Immunotherapy Trial
In a separate study involving 643 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, those treated with pembrolizumab—an immunotherapy drug that stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells—alongside usual care survived for an average of 17.7 months. In contrast, patients receiving only standard care had an average survival of 14 months.
Regulatory Status and Future Steps
Both trials are currently in phase 3 and require further testing before they can gain approval in the UK. However, relacorilant and pembrolizumab have already been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, indicating a promising pathway for global adoption.
This research underscores the potential of repurposing existing drugs to address unmet medical needs, offering renewed hope for patients battling one of the most challenging forms of ovarian cancer.
